That Opera Rag

Album: Great American Composers (1909)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Irving Berlin biographer Charles Hamm, between 1907 and 1914 he wrote 42 songs with his boss Ted Snyder, and in 1909 was hired as staff lyricist. "That Opera Rag" was one of their collaborations, Snyder providing the music. Another Berlin biographer, Laurence Bergreen said of their attempts to write a hit ragtime song, "The variety was enough to make a ragtime purist gag." This distinctly inferior effort is part rag, part coon song, but the year after it was published Berlin had a massive hit with "Alexander's Ragtime Band". >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.